MAY/MIGHT-GRAMMAR

English Grammar Secrets
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May / might
may
We can use 'may' to ask for permission. However this is rather formal and not used very often in modern spoken English
· May I borrow your pen?
· May we think about it?
· May I go now?
We use 'may' to suggest something is possible
· It may rain later today.
· I may not have time to do it today.
· Pete may come with us
might
We use 'might' to suggest a small possibility of something. Often we read that 'might' suggests a smaller possibility that 'may', there is in fact little difference and 'might is more usual than 'may' in spoken English.
· She might be at home by now but it's not sure at all.
· It might rain this afternoon.
· I might not have time to go to the shops for you.
· I might not go.
For the past, we use 'might have'.
· He might have tried to call while I was out.
· I might have dropped it in the street.